Methods and systems for power management

ABSTRACT

An apparatus comprises a plurality of voltage sources, one or more processors embedded with the plurality of voltage sources, and memory storing processor executable instructions that, when executed by the one or more processors, cause the apparatus to modify duty cycles of the voltage sources, and to modify timing for each phase of a multiphase cycle. In some cases, the apparatus: transfers, for each phase of the multiphase cycle, power from a different source of a plurality of sources to a load; determines, for each phase of the multiphase cycle, an input voltage associated with the transferred power, an output voltage associated with the transferred power, and current from the source associated with the transferred power; determines a duty cycle associated with the source; modifies duty cycles of the voltage sources; and modifies timing for each phase of the multiphase cycle.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED PATENT APPLICATION

This application is a continuation of co-pending U.S. patent applicationSer. No. 16/949,959 filed on Nov. 20, 2020, which is a continuation ofPCT Patent Application No. PCT/US2020/023183 filed on Mar. 7, 2020,which claims priority to U.S. Provisional Patent Application No.62/819,710 filed on Mar. 18, 2019, and these applications are herebyincorporated herein by reference for all purposes.

BACKGROUND

Power conversion and routing methods employ power convertors (e.g.,boost convertors, step-up convertors, switched mode power supplies,etc.) to increase power in electrical circuits. The duty cycles ofsolid-state devices, such as transistors, are controlled to operate asswitches to control current flow within boost convertors. Intermittentcurrent to the load from switched mode power supplies require extensiveand expensive filtering techniques.

SUMMARY

Described are methods comprising transferring, for each phase of amultiphase cycle, power from a different source of a plurality ofsources to a load, determining, for each phase of the multiphase cycle,an input voltage associated with the transferred power, an outputvoltage associated with the transferred power, and current from thesource associated with the transferred power, determining a duty cycleassociated with the source, modifying, based on the input voltageassociated with the transferred power, the output voltage associatedwith the transferred power, the current from the source, the duty cycleassociated with the source: wherein the modified duty cycle comprises anincrease or a decrease in the duty cycle associated with the sourcebased on one or more of the input voltage not satisfying an inputvoltage level threshold, the output voltage satisfying an output voltagelevel threshold, or the current from the source exceeding a currentlevel threshold, and modifying, based on the modified duty cycle, timingfor each phase of the multiphase cycle.

Also described are methods comprising determining, for each phase of amultiphase cycle, one or more parameter values associated with outputpower (e.g., power transferred to a load, etc.), modifying, based on theone or more parameter values, the duty cycle of a synchronizationswitching component associated with the phase, and causing, based on themodified duty cycle for each phase of the multiphase cycle, anequivalent transition time between each phase of the multiphase cycle.

Also described are methods comprising transferring, for each phase of amultiphase cycle, power from a different source of a plurality ofsources to a load, determining, for each phase of the multiphase cycle,based on an input voltage associated with source and current drawn fromthe source, an amount of power transferred from the source to the load,and modifying, based on the amount of power transferred from the sourceto the load, current drawn from the source.

Additional advantages will be set forth in part in the description whichfollows or may be learned by practice. The advantages will be realizedand attained by means of the elements and combinations particularlypointed out in the appended claims.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The accompanying drawings, which are incorporated in and constitute apart of this specification, illustrate embodiments and together with thedescription, serve to explain the principles of the methods and systemsfor power management:

FIG. 1 is an example system for power management;

FIG. 2 is a diagram for power management;

FIG. 3 is a diagram for power management;

FIG. 4 is a diagram for power management;

FIG. 5 is a diagram for power management;

FIG. 6 is a diagram for power management;

FIG. 7 is a diagram for power management;

FIG. 8 is a flowchart of an example method for power management;

FIG. 9 is a flowchart of an example method for power management;

FIG. 10 is a flowchart of an example method for power management;

FIG. 11 is a flowchart of an example method for power management.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Before the present methods and systems are disclosed and described, itis to be understood that the methods and systems are not limited tospecific methods, specific components, or to particular implementations.It is also to be understood that the terminology used herein is for thepurpose of describing particular embodiments only and is not intended tobe limiting.

As used in the specification and the appended claims, the singular forms“a,” “an,” and “the” include plural referents unless the context clearlydictates otherwise. Ranges may be expressed herein as from “about” oneparticular value, and/or to “about” another particular value. When sucha range is expressed, another embodiment includes from the oneparticular value and/or to the other particular value. Similarly, whenvalues are expressed as approximations, by use of the antecedent“about,” it will be understood that the particular value forms anotherembodiment. It will be further understood that the endpoints of each ofthe ranges are significant both in relation to the other endpoint, andindependently of the other endpoint.

“Optional” or “optionally” means that the subsequently described eventor circumstance may or may not occur, and that the description includesinstances where said event or circumstance occurs and instances where itdoes not.

Throughout the description and claims of this specification, the word“comprise” and variations of the word, such as “comprising” and“comprises,” means “including but not limited to,” and is not intendedto exclude, for example, other components, integers or steps.“Exemplary” means “an example of” and is not intended to convey anindication of a preferred or ideal embodiment. “Such as” is not used ina restrictive sense, but for explanatory purposes.

Disclosed are components that can be used to perform the disclosedmethods and systems. These and other components are disclosed herein,and it is understood that when combinations, subsets, interactions,groups, etc. of these components are disclosed that while specificreference of each various individual and collective combinations andpermutation of these may not be explicitly disclosed, each isspecifically contemplated and described herein, for all methods andsystems. This applies to all aspects of this application including, butnot limited to, steps in disclosed methods. Thus, if there are a varietyof additional steps that can be performed it is understood that each ofthese additional steps can be performed with any specific embodiment orcombination of embodiments of the disclosed methods.

The present methods and systems may be understood more readily byreference to the following detailed description of preferred embodimentsand the examples included therein and to the Figures and their previousand following description.

As will be appreciated by one skilled in the art, the methods andsystems may take the form of an entirely hardware embodiment, anentirely software embodiment, or an embodiment combining software andhardware aspects. Furthermore, the methods and systems may take the formof a computer program product on a computer-readable storage mediumhaving computer-readable program instructions (e.g., computer software)embodied in the storage medium. More particularly, the present methodsand systems may take the form of web-implemented computer software. Anysuitable computer-readable storage medium may be utilized including harddisks, CD-ROMs, optical storage devices, or magnetic storage devices.

Embodiments of the methods and systems are described below withreference to block diagrams and flowchart illustrations of methods,systems, apparatuses and computer program products. It will beunderstood that each block of the block diagrams and flowchartillustrations, and combinations of blocks in the block diagrams andflowchart illustrations, respectively, can be implemented by computerprogram instructions. These computer program instructions may be loadedonto a general purpose computer, special purpose computer, or otherprogrammable data processing apparatus to produce a machine, such thatthe instructions which execute on the computer or other programmabledata processing apparatus create a means for implementing the functionsspecified in the flowchart block or blocks.

These computer program instructions may also be stored in acomputer-readable memory that can direct a computer or otherprogrammable data processing apparatus to function in a particularmanner, such that the instructions stored in the computer-readablememory produce an article of manufacture including computer-readableinstructions for implementing the function specified in the flowchartblock or blocks. The computer program instructions may also be loadedonto a computer or other programmable data processing apparatus to causeoperational steps to be performed on the computer or other programmableapparatus to produce a computer-implemented process such that theinstructions that execute on the computer or other programmableapparatus provide steps for implementing the functions specified in theflowchart block or blocks.

Accordingly, blocks of the block diagrams and flowchart illustrationssupport combinations of means for performing the specified functions,combinations of steps for performing the specified functions and programinstruction means for performing the specified functions. It will alsobe understood that each block of the block diagrams and flowchartillustrations, and combinations of blocks in the block diagrams andflowchart illustrations, can be implemented by special purposehardware-based computer systems that perform the specified functions orsteps, or combinations of special purpose hardware and computerinstructions.

Note that in various instances this detailed disclosure may refer to agiven entity performing some action. It should be understood that thislanguage may in some cases mean that a system (e.g., a computer) ownedand/or controlled by the given entity is actually performing the action.

Methods and systems for power management are described. The methods andsystems described herein enable phase tuning of imbalanced power(energy) sources to improve power conversion efficiency. A controlmodule and circuitry may be configured (e.g., embedded, etc.) with apower source(s), such as cells of a photovoltaic module (e.g., solarmodule, etc.) or multi-cell battery. The control module and circuitrymay be used to transfer power (e.g., wattage) from the power source(e.g., components of the power source, etc.) to a load (e.g., a powerinverter, an energy storage device, a heating element, a resistive load,an inductive load, a capacitive load, etc.) while minimizing outputvoltage transients (e.g., caused by intermittent current to the loadfrom switched mode power supplies, etc.) by tuning the phase of discretesource components of the power source. For example, for a two-phasesystem the phases may have a 180 degree phase difference. The phaseangle may be tuned based on the quantity of phases of the system (e.g.,a three phase system, a four phase system, a polyphase system, etc.).The control module and circuitry may be used to manage switching (e.g.,on/off, etc.) characteristics (e.g., duty cycle, etc.) of theconnections of the power source(s) to produce optimal characteristicsfor power conversion, such as a reduced final output ripple or reducedoutput ripple before some final smoothing 108.

FIG. 1 is a diagram of a system 100 for power management. The system 100may utilize a multi-phase control method that increases the voltagegenerated by power sources, such as photovoltaic cells of a solarmodule, one or more cells of a multi-cell battery/source, one or moreenergy harvesting devices (e.g., energy harvesting devicesconfigured/embedded within an organic organism (e.g., jellyfish, etc.)and/or organic material (e.g., muscle tissue, etc.)). The system 100 mayinclude a control module 120 that manages the timing of power deliveryonset to an output so that the transients due to transitions of currentoutputs from interleaved power sources of the system 100 reduces theoutput filtering required while maximizing the power (e.g., wattage)accessed/sourced by a power source. The system 100 may include circuitrythat steps up (e.g., increases, boost, etc.) voltage (while steppingdown current) from a source when applied to a load. For example, thesystem 100 may include circuitry for a boost converter 101 and a boostconverter 102. In some instances, the boost converter 101 and the boostconverter 102 may be configured as an integrated circuit (IC) and/or thelike. In some instances, the boost converter 101 and the boost converter102 may be configured with discrete components, such as capacitors,resistors, inductors, power transistors, power transistor derivatives(e.g., bipolar junction transistors (BJTs), metal-oxide semiconductorfield-effect transistors (MOSFETs), insulated gated bipolar transistors(IGBTs), thyristors, etc.). The boost converter 101 may step up (e.g.,increases, boost, etc.) voltage (while stepping down current) from asource 103 and the boost converter 102 may step up (e.g., increases,boost, etc.) voltage (while stepping down current) from a source 104.

The source 103 and the source 104 may be any voltage source. Forexample, the source 103 and the source 104 may each be a photovoltaiccell of a photovoltaic cell-string (e.g., solar module, etc.), a cell ofa multi-cell battery, or an energy-harvesting device (e.g., anenergy-harvesting device associated with an organic organism, anenergy-harvesting device associated with a thermoelectric device, etc.).In some instances, when voltage generated by the source 103 and thesource 104 are at equal levels (e.g., the source 103 and the source 104operating under the same conditions, etc.), the boost converter 101 andthe boost converter 102 may operate 180 degrees out of phase withsimilar duty cycles. When voltage generated by the source 103 and thesource 104 are at differing levels, the phase and duty cycle of theboost converter 101 and the boost converter 102 may be tuned to produceoptimal performance (e.g., minimum voltage ripple, etc.) to a load 107(an internal load, and external load, etc.). For example, a 180 degreephase shift (when measured at the center point of the off-stateconduction) may be maintained for a 2 phase system to cause symmetrictransition between and a reduction in output voltage ripple (e.g., thelowest possible output voltage ripple, etc.). In some instances, thesystem 100 may be scaled to any number of sources/phases. When eachphase has different duty cycles the phase timing may be adjusted, forexample, to cause equivalent transition periods between phases. Activeduty cycle (and phase) management based on the performance of thesources (e.g., the source 103 and the source 104, etc.) enables thesystem 100 to require less output filtering, such as filtering by anoutput capacitor 108 (e.g., the capacitance value of capacitor 108 maybe reduced, etc.). In some instances, the system 100 may not include theoutput capacitor 108 in parallel with the load 107. In instances whenthe system 100 does not include the output capacitor 108, fluctuations(e.g., spike, etc.) in power output by the system 100 may be fed to anexternal capacitor.

The phases of the boost converter 101 and the boost converter 102 may becontrolled by a control module 120 (e.g., controller/driver module,multiphase controller, etc.). As described, in some instances, thesystem 100 may be scaled. For example, the system 100 may be scaled toinclude any number of sources, respective boost converters associatedwith the sources, and any number of respective phases control controlledby the control module 120. For example, the system 100 may be atwo-phase system (as shown), a three-phase system, a four-phase system,or an n-th phase system (where n denotes any numeric value greater than1). The control module 120 may include a processor, a logic chip, amicrocontroller (MCU), a central processing unit (CPU), a fieldprogrammable gate array (FPGA), an application-specific integratedcircuit (ASIC), and/or the like. In some instances, the control module120 and/or the boost converter 101 and the boost converter 102 may beembedded (configured) with the sources (e.g., the source 103, the source104, etc.) and the output capacitor 108. For example, the control module120 and/or the boost converter 101 and the boost converter 102 may beembedded (configured) within a solar module that includes multiplephotovoltaic submodules. The control module 120 may control powertransferred to a load 107 from the source 103 and the source 104. Theload 107 may be any component that consumes power.

In some instances, the current (and/or voltage polarity) for the system100 may be reversed, causing current from the load 107 to be sent asource (e.g., the source 103, the source 104, etc.). The increased(high) voltage at the load 107 relative to the source allows current toreverse direction, if desired, and to be consumed by the source (e.g.,the source 103, the source 104, etc.). For example, the current of thesystem 100 may be reversed to cause one or more photovoltaic cells ofsolar module to generate heat (e.g., heat up, light up, etc.). In someinstances, the current of the system 100 may be reversed, for example,by the control module 120 causing a turn on of a sync switch (e.g., asynchronization transistor, an n-type MOSFET, sync switch 111, syncswitch 112, etc.) to activate, turn on (e.g., transition from anoff-state to an on-state, etc.), and/or the like at a time period when aboost convertor (e.g., the boost converter 101, the boost converter 102,etc.) is operating below a load voltage. Turning on a sync switch when aboost convertor operating below its load voltage may cause current toflow (from an internal busbar/rail to an associated inductor (e.g., aninductor 109, an inductor 110, etc.). By modifying the duty cyclesand/or voltage on a main switch, the control module 120 may activelycontrol the rate at which the solar module heats up. As another example,the current of the system 100 may be reversed to induce current inneurons and/or muscle fibers, induce varying charge levels in cells of amulti-cell battery, control one or more electrostimulation device (e.g.,associated with organic material, etc.) and/or the like.

The control module 120 may actively modify/change (e.g., tune, etc.) theduty cycle of a main switch 105 associated with the boost converter 101and a main switch 106 associated with the boost converter 102. The mainswitch 105 and the main switch 106 may be transistors (e.g., n-typeMOSFETs, etc.) or any other switching component and/or semiconductor.The control module may actively modify/change (e.g., tune, etc.) theduty cycle of the main switch 105 and the main switch 106 of each phasein order to control the power transferred from the source 103 and thesource 104, respectively, for each phase. For example, M1ctrl and M2ctrlindicate the electrical connections between the main switch 105 and themain switch 106, respectively, with the controller 120.

The control module 120 may modify/change (e.g., tune, etc.) the activeduration (e.g., duty cycle) of the main switch 105 and the main switch106. The controller 120, by activating M1ctrl and M2ctrl, may cyclicallycause the main switch 105 and the main switch 106 to conduct electricity(e.g., activate, turn on, etc.). When the main switch 105 is “on,”(e.g., conducting electricity, etc.), the source 103 may sink current inseries through an inductor 109 and the main switch 105, then back to thesource 103 (via a short circuit) causing the inductor 109 to generate amagnetic field. When the main switch 105 is switched “off” (e.g., notconducting electricity, etc.), the impedance through the main switch 105may increase and cause the voltage across the inductor 109 to increase.When the main switch 105 is switched “off” (e.g., not conductingelectricity, etc.), the control module 120 may cause, by activatingS1ctrl (via a digital control signal, etc.), a sync switch 111 (e.g., asynchronization transistor, an n-type MOSFET, etc.) to activate, turn on(e.g., transition from an off-state to an on-state, etc.), and/or thelike. When the sync switch 111 is active, the increased voltage acrossthe inductor 109 may be conducted to the load 107 and the capacitor 108(e.g., an output capacitor), causing the magnetic field produced by theinductor 109 to be reduced. During a different phase, When the mainswitch 106 is “on,” (e.g., conducting electricity, etc.), the source 104may sink current in series through an inductor 110 and the main switch106, then back to the source 104 (via a short circuit) causing theinductor 110 to generate a magnetic field. When the main switch 106 isswitched “off” (e.g., not conducting electricity, etc.), the impedancethrough the main switch 106 may increase and cause the voltage acrossthe inductor 110 to increase. When the main switch 106 is switched “off”(e.g., not conducting electricity, etc.), the control module 120 maycause, by activating S2ctrl, a sync switch 112 (e.g., a synchronizationtransistor, an n-type MOSFET, etc.) to activate, turn on (e.g.,transition from an off-state to an on-state, etc.), and/or the like.When the sync switch 112 is active, the increased voltage across theinductor 110 may be conducted to the load 107 and the capacitor 108,causing the magnetic field produced by the inductor 110 to be reduced.The control module 120 may modify/change (e.g., tune, etc.) the activeduration (e.g., duty cycle) of the sync switch 111 and the sync switch112 to avoid overvoltage output conditions.

The control module 120 may be configured with control logic for managingactivation (e.g., duty cycles, etc.) of the main switch 105, the mainswitch 106, the sync switch 111, and the sync switch 112 in response toconditions affecting the source 103 and/or the source 104 to optimizepower transferred to the load 107. For example, when voltage associatedwith the source 103 and/or the source 104 is reduced, the control module120 may increase the duty cycles of the main switch 105 and/or the mainswitch 106, respectively, to enable more time for the strength of themagnetic fields of the inductor 109 and the inductor 110, respectively,to increase to a level that produces a target/ideal output voltageacross the load 107. As another example, when current from the source103 and/or the source 104 is reduced, the control module 120 maydecrease the duty cycles of the main switch 105 and/or the main switch106, respectively, to maintain a peak power point by causing less (onaverage) current to be drawn across the inductor 109 and the inductor110, respectively, to produce a target/ideal output voltage across theload 107. Additionally, the control module 120 may modify/change theduty cycles of the sync switch 111 and the sync switch 112,respectively, based on a relationship between the voltage associatedwith the source 103 and/or the source 104, and the output voltage (e.g.,the voltage across the load 107).

Assuming ideal conditions, the control module 107 may modify/change theduty cycles of the main switch 105, the main switch 106, the sync switch111, and the sync switch 112, respectively, based on the followingequations:

$\begin{matrix}{{{Duty}\mspace{14mu}{Cycle}_{{main}\mspace{14mu}{switch}\mspace{14mu} 105}} = \frac{V_{out} - V_{{source}\mspace{11mu} 103}}{V_{out}}} & (1) \\{{{Duty}\mspace{14mu}{Cycle}_{{main}\mspace{14mu}{switch}\mspace{14mu} 106}} = \frac{V_{out} - V_{{source}\mspace{11mu} 104}}{V_{out}}} & (2) \\{{{Duty}\mspace{14mu}{Cycle}_{{sync}\mspace{14mu}{switch}\mspace{14mu} 111}} = \frac{V_{{source}\mspace{11mu} 103}}{V_{out}}} & (3) \\{{{{Duty}\mspace{14mu}{Cycle}_{{sync}\mspace{14mu}{switch}\mspace{14mu} 112}} = \frac{V_{{source}\mspace{11mu} 104}}{V_{out}}},} & (4)\end{matrix}$

where V_(out) is the voltage across the load 107. In some instances, theequations described may deviate based on one or more real worldoccurrences, such as in situations of inducing overvoltage outputconditions and/or the like. In some cases, the control module 107 maymodify/change the duty cycles of any switch (transistor) of the system100 (e.g., the main switch 105, the main switch 106, the sync switch111, the sync switch 112, etc.) based on any relationships between theoutput voltage (e.g., V_(out)) and voltage and/or current associatedwith a source that optimizes the output voltage.

In some instances, such as when controlling a two phase system, thecontrol module 120 may control timing for phases (e.g., signals, pulses,pulse trains, etc.) of the system 100 such that each phase is sequencedso that the center of the on-state (e.g., the active/conducting durationof the duty cycle) duration for the respective synchronization switch(e.g., the sync switch 111, the sync switch 112, etc.) has a phase angleof 180 degree relative to the next phase. The control module 120 maycontrol timing for phases of any multiphase system with interleavedsources so that the timing/duration between phases is equivalent. For amulti-phase system, the control module 120 may cause the centers of the“on” states for synchronization switches to be aligned to cause the sumof the phases to be evenly distributed when the control module 120modifies/changes the respective duty cycle. As such, under idealconditions, the voltage ripple (V_(outRipple)) across the outputcapacitor 108 may be determined by the following equation:

${V_{outRipple} = \left. \frac{I_{out}}{C_{{capacitor}\; 108}} \middle| \frac{V_{out} - V_{sources}}{V_{out}} \middle| \frac{1}{{Frequency}*n_{phase}} \right.},$

where n_(phase) represents the number of sources/phases (e.g., thesource 103, the source 104, etc.) for the system 100, and V_(sources)represents the total voltage of the sources/phases. Based on the desiredoutput of the system 100 (e.g., a given set of output requirements thatspecify current level, voltage level, etc.), an equivalent timedistribution in current flowing to the capacitor 108 provides a lowestpossible current ripple. The low current ripple may cause the system 100to require less filtering that traditional power management systems,such as single phase systems. The reduced filtering requirements of thesystem 100 renders the system 100 cost effective (e.g., fewercomponents, reduced component values, etc.) and functionally versatile(e.g., reduced size, reduced heat, embeddable assembly, etc.) incomparison to traditional power management systems.

FIGS. 2-4 are timing diagrams of the system 100 (configured as atwo-phase system). FIG. 2 is a timing diagram illustrating the phasecontrol of the system 100 (configured as a two-phase system) where thecontrol module 120 causes a duty cycle of the main switch 105 to have aduty cycle of fifty percent (50%) and the main switch 106 to have a dutycycle of sixth percent (60%). FIG. 3 is a timing diagram illustratingthe phase control of the system 100 (configured as a two-phase system)where the control module 120 causes a duty cycle of the sync switch 111to have a duty cycle of fifty percent (50%) and the sync switch 112 tohave a duty cycle of forty percent (40%) for the entire duration of eachphase that the main switch 105 or the main switch 106 is disabled,respectively. As illustrated at 301, there is a fifty percent (50%)phase delay between the centers of the conduction cycles. FIG. 4 is atiming diagram of the output current ripple of the system 100(configured as a two-phase system). The sum of the “on” time (e.g., theactive/conducting duration of the duty cycle) for the sync switch 111and the sync switch 112 is ninety percent (90%), implying a down (“off”)time of ten percent (10%). As shown 401, the 10% down (“off”) time isevenly distributed into two 5% down (“off”) times (e.g., 402, 403, etc.)between the phases.

FIG. 5 plots the phases of the sync switches in relation to the outputvoltage ripple of a two phase system with boost converters connected toindependent sources and the leading edges (as opposed to the center) ofthe respective signals are managed by the control model 120 for phasecontrol. The sum of the “on” time (e.g., the active/conducting durationof the duty cycle) for the sync switches is ninety percent (90%). Asshown in FIG. 5, the normalized voltage ripple of the two phase systemindependent source system is 0.12. The normalized voltage ripple of 0.12is caused by a larger phase gap following the current delivery by thesync switch.

FIG. 6 plots the phases of the sync switches (e.g., the sync switch 111,the sync switch 112) in relation to the output voltage ripple, when thecenter phases of the respective signals are managed by the control model120 for phase control of the system 100. For example, the control model120 may cause the sum of the “on” time (e.g., the active/conductingduration of the duty cycle) for the sync switch 111 and the sync switch112 to be ninety percent (90%). As shown in FIG. 6, the normalizedvoltage ripple of the system 100 is 0.09. The normalized voltage rippleof 0.09 is caused by a balance of the phase gaps following the currentdelivery (to the load 107) by the sync switch 111 and the sync switch112. FIG. 6 illustrates that when the control model 120 causes a syncswitch (e.g., the sync switch 111 and the sync switch 112) to conduct,current transferred to the load causes a voltage increase. When thecontrol model 120 causes a sync switch (e.g., the sync switch 111 andthe sync switch 112) to stop conducting, there is a sharp decrease involtage as the capacitor 108 sustains the current to the load 107. FIG.6 illustrates that when the control module 120 causes equivalenttransition timing between phases, peak electrical transients areminimized (see FIG. 5 for comparison).

FIG. 7 plots the phases of the sync switches (e.g., the sync switch 111,the sync switch 112) in relation to the output voltage ripple (based onthe center of the phases of the respective signals) when the controlmodel 120 causes the sync switches (e.g., the sync switch 111, the syncswitch 112) to deliver current to the output of the system 100 at thesame time. Any surplus current may cause a sharp increase in voltage atthe output of the system 100. The sharp increase in voltage may befollowed by a gradual reduction in the output voltage whenever the loadcurrent is not sustained for a single phase of the system 100. NotablyFIG. 7 illustrates inverse system behavior in relation to the previousdescription (e.g., system behavior depicted in FIG. 6).

As described, the control module 120 may modify timing for each phase ofthe multiphase cycle of the system 100. For example, the control module120 may modify the timing for each phase of the multiphase cycle bydelaying, based on the conductive state of the respective source to theload, each phase of the multiphase cycle so that each transition timebetween each phase of the multiphase cycle is equivalent. However, insome instances, the control module 120 modify timing for phases of themultiphase cycle of the system 100 so that the load is “off” (e.g., anon-active/non-conducting, etc.) for a portion of a phase or multiplephases (e.g., phase pulse skipping, etc.) causing current collectedwhile the load is “off” to be distributed/delivered to the load duringthe “on” time (e.g., the active/conducting duration) for a phase. Forexample, the system 100 may be used to provide power to anelectromechanical device that requires a period of recharge aftertransferring energy to (e.g., stimulating, etc.) muscle fibers. Thecontrol module 120 may modify timing for each phase of the multiphasecycle of the system 100 based on the parameters of a load and/or adesired power output by the system 100.

FIG. 8 is a flowchart of a method 800 for power management. A controlmodule (e.g., the control module 120, a controller/driver, etc.) may beconfigured with a plurality of power converters to form a powermanagement system (e.g., the system 100, etc.). The system may be ann-th phase (multi-phase) interleaved system where the phases are basedon the quantity of sources and associated quantity of power converters.Each power converter of the plurality of power converters may beconnected to different source, such as one or more photovoltaic cells ofa solar module, one or more cells of a multi-cell battery/source, one ormore energy harvesting devices (e.g., thermoelectric devices, etc.), oneor more energy harvesting devices configured/embedded within an organicorganism (e.g., jellyfish, etc.) and/or organic material (e.g., muscletissue, etc.), and/or the like. In some cases, the control module andpower converters may be embedded with one or more photovoltaic cells ofa solar module, one or more cells of a multi-cell battery/source, one ormore energy harvesting devices, and/or the like. At 801, settings of thesystem may be determined. For example, the output voltage may be set tozero volts, all phase currents limit set points may be set to a minimumlimit set point, and/or any other desired setting may be determined.

At 802, the system may start. The control module causes the system toinitiate with a soft start (via a soft-start algorithm and/or circuit,etc.) to slow down the rate of rising output voltage (based on a maximumoutput voltage set point) by minimizing any excess current flow duringthe start. The control module may begin to synchronously controlconduction associated with each power converter of the plurality ofpower converters. The control module may start each phase of the system.

At 803, the control module may determine the amount of input voltageassociated with its respective phase. The control module may determinewhether the phase input voltage is less than an under voltage protectionvalue. If the phase input voltage is less than the under voltageprotection value, the control module may, at 804, cause a decrease inthe duty cycle of a main switch (e.g., the main switch 105, the mainswitch 106, etc.) of a power converter of the plurality of powerconverters for a given phase. In some instance, a decrease in the dutycycle of a main switch may cause an increase in the duty cycle for asynchronization signal (e.g., a digital control signal, etc.) for thephase. Decreasing the duty cycle of the main switch may cause less powercontributed to the output (a load) for the phase. If the phase inputvoltage is not less than the under voltage protection value, then thecontrol module may, at 805, determine if the output voltage is greaterthan or equal to an output voltage set point (e.g., a set/desired outputvoltage level). If the output voltage is greater than or equal to theoutput voltage set point, the control module may (step 804) cause adecrease in the duty cycle of the main switch (e.g., the main switch105, the main switch 106, etc.) of the power converter of the pluralityof power converters for the phase. If the output voltage is not greaterthan or equal to the output voltage set point, then the control modulemay, at 806, determine whether the phase current is greater than a phasecurrent set point. If the phase current is greater than the phasecurrent set point, the control module may (step 804) cause a decrease inthe duty cycle of the main switch (e.g., the main switch 105, the mainswitch 106, etc.) of the power converter of the plurality of powerconverters for the phase. If the phase current is not greater than thephase current set point, the control module may, at 807, determinewhether the duty cycle is greater than a maximum duty cycle set point.If the duty cycle is greater than the maximum duty cycle set point thenit may be assumed that the system has exceeded the performance of theboost converter phase and the control module may again determine if thephase input voltage is less than the under voltage protection value(e.g., the control module may return to step 803, etc.). In someinstances, steps 803 and 805-807 may be performed/executed concurrently.In some instances, steps 803 and 805-807 may be performed/executedsequentially. If the duty cycle is not greater than the maximum dutycycle set point, the control module may, at 808, cause an increase inthe duty cycle of the main switch (e.g., the main switch 105, the mainswitch 106, etc.) of the power converter of the plurality of powerconverters for the given phase. Increasing the duty cycle may cause morepower to be contributed to the output (a load) from the phase.

At 809, the control module may adjust phase timing. For example, for atwo-phase system, the control module may adjust the phase timing forhalf phase delay on the center of a synchronization signal (e.g., adigital control signal, etc.) for the phase. Adjusting the phase timingfor half phase delay on the center of the synchronization signal for thephase may cause a reduction in output voltage ripple and cause an outputthat requires less filtering. The control module may adjust phase timingfor any multiphase system to reduce output voltage ripple and filteringrequirements.

In some instances, the control module may perform maximum power pointtracking of the system. For example, after the soft start voltage ramp,the control module may, for each phase, determine the phase inputvoltage and the phase current to determine a phase current set point andadjust the phase current set point to ensure optimal power output of thesystem.

In an embodiment, illustrated in FIG. 9, the system 100, and/or anyother device/component described herein can be configured to perform amethod 900. At 910, power may be transferred to a load. For example, asystem may include a control module and two or more power convertersconfigured (e.g., embedded, etc.) with a power source(s), such as cellsof a photovoltaic module (e.g., a solar module, one or more photovoltaiccells of a photovoltaic cell-string, etc.), one or more cells of amulti-cell battery, one or more energy storing current sources,one-or-more electrodes harvesting energy individually from anon-discrete power source (e.g., perovskite-painted surfaces, etc.), oneor more energy-harvesting devices, one or more thermoelectric devices,and/or the like. The control module may cause optimal power (e.g.,wattage) to be transferred from the power source (e.g., components ofthe power source, etc.) to a load (e.g., a power inverter, an energystorage device, a heating element, a resistive load, an inductive load,a capacitive load, etc.) while minimizing transients (e.g., inductiveswitching transients, etc.). The control module may transfer, for eachphase of a multiphase cycle, power from a different source of aplurality of sources to a load. The control module may transfer thepower by managing switching/activation operations of each phase.

At 920, the control module may determine, for each phase of themultiphase cycle, an input voltage associated with the transferredpower, an output voltage associated with the transferred power, andinput current from the source associated with the transferred power. Forexample the control module may be configured with and/or incommunication with one or more sensing circuits/modules thatdetermine/detect the input voltage associated with the transferredpower, the output voltage associated with the transferred power, and theinput current from the source associated with the transferred power.

At 930, the control module may determine a duty cycle associated withthe source.

At 940, the control module may modify the output voltage associated withthe transferred power, the current from the source, and or the dutycycle associated with the source. The control module may cause suchmodifications based on the input voltage associated with the transferredpower. The duty cycle associated with the source may be increased ordecreased based on one or more of the input voltage not satisfying aninput voltage level threshold, the output voltage satisfying an outputvoltage level threshold, or the input current from the source exceedinga current level threshold.

At 950, the control module may modify timing for each phase of themultiphase cycle. The control module may modify the timing for eachphase of the multiphase cycle based on the modified duty cycle. Forexample, modifying the timing for each phase of the multiphase cycle mayinclude delaying, based on the conductive state of the respective sourceto the load, each phase of the multiphase cycle so that each transitiontime between each phase of the multiphase cycle is equivalent.

In an embodiment, illustrated in FIG. 10, the system 100, and/or anyother device/component described herein can be configured to perform amethod 1000. At 1010, one or more parameter values associated withoutput power may be determined. For example, a system may include acontrol module and one or more power converters configured (e.g.,embedded, etc.) with a power source(s), such as cells of a photovoltaicmodule (e.g., solar module, etc.), one or more cells of a multi-cellbattery, one or more energy storing current sources, one-or-moreelectrodes harvesting energy individually from a non-discrete powersource (e.g., perovskite-painted surfaces, etc.), one or moreenergy-harvesting devices, one or more thermoelectric devices, and/orthe like. The control module may cause optimal power (e.g., wattage) tobe transferred from the power source (e.g., components of the powersource, etc.) to a load (e.g., a power inverter, an energy storagedevice, a heating element, a resistive load, an inductive load, acapacitive load, etc.) while minimizing transients (e.g., output voltagetransients such as transients caused by intermittent current to the loadfrom switched mode power supplies, etc.). The control module maytransfer, for each phase of a multiphase cycle, power from a differentsource of a plurality of sources to a load. The control module maytransfer the power by managing switching/activation operations of eachphase. The one or more parameters may include an input voltage valueassociated with the transferred power, an output voltage valueassociated with the transferred power, and/or an input current levelfrom the source associated with the transferred power.

At 1020, the duty cycle of a synchronization switching componentassociated with a given phase may be modified. The control module maymodify the duty cycle based on the one or more parameter values. Forexample, the control module may determine whether the input voltagevalue satisfies an input voltage level threshold (e.g., an under voltageset point, etc.), whether the output voltage value satisfies an outputvoltage level threshold (e.g., greater than or equal to an outputvoltage set point, etc.), or the current from the source exceeding acurrent level threshold (e.g., is phase current greater than a phasecurrent set point, etc.), and increase/decrease the duty cycleaccordingly.

At 1030, the transition time between each phase of the multiphase cyclemay be adjusted to be equivalent. The control module may cause, based onthe modified duty cycle for each phase of the multiphase cycle, anequivalent transition time between each phase of the multiphase cycle.The equivalent transition times may cause a reduction in output voltageripple so that filtering requirements of the system are reduced.

In an embodiment, illustrated in FIG. 11, the system 100, and/or anyother device/component described herein can be configured to perform amethod 1100. At 1110, power may be transferred to a load. For example, asystem may include a control module and one or more power convertersconfigured (e.g., embedded, etc.) with a power source(s), such as cellsof a photovoltaic module (e.g., solar module, etc.), one or more cellsof a multi-cell battery, one or more energy storing current sources,one-or-more electrodes harvesting energy individually from anon-discrete power source (e.g., perovskite-painted surfaces, etc.), oneor more energy-harvesting devices, one or more thermoelectric devices,and/or the like. The control module may cause optimal power (e.g.,wattage) to be transferred from the power source (e.g., components ofthe power source, etc.) to a load (e.g., a power inverter, an energystorage device, a heating element, a resistive load, an inductive load,a capacitive load, etc.) while minimizing transients (e.g., outputvoltage transients such as transients caused by intermittent current tothe load from switched mode power supplies, etc.). The control modulemay transfer, for each phase of a multiphase cycle, power from adifferent source of a plurality of sources to a load. The control modulemay transfer the power by managing switching/activation operations ofeach phase.

At 1120, an amount of power transferred from the source to the load maybe determined. For example, the control module may be in communicationwith (connected to) one or more sensors (sensing circuits) thatdetect/determine, based on an input voltage associated with source andcurrent drawn from the source, the amount of power transferred from thesource to the load.

At 1130, an amount of current drawn from the source may be modified. Thecontrol module may modify, based on the amount of power transferred fromthe source to the load, current drawn from the source. As described, thecontrol module may perform maximum power point tracking and adjust thesystem accordingly.

The following examples are put forth so as to provide those of ordinaryskill in the art with a complete disclosure and description of how thecompounds, compositions, articles, devices and/or methods claimed hereinare made and evaluated, and are intended to be purely exemplary and arenot intended to limit the scope of the methods and systems. Efforts havebeen made to ensure accuracy with respect to numbers (e.g., amounts,temperature, etc.), but some errors and deviations should be accountedfor. Unless indicated otherwise, parts are parts by weight, temperatureis in ° C. or is at ambient temperature, and pressure is at or nearatmospheric.

Embodiment 1

A method comprising: transferring, for each phase of a multiphase cycle,power from a different source of a plurality of sources to a load,determining, for each phase of the multiphase cycle, an input voltageassociated with the transferred power, an output voltage associated withthe transferred power, and current from the source associated with thetransferred power, determining a duty cycle associated with the source,modifying, based on the input voltage associated with the transferredpower, one or more of the output voltage associated with the transferredpower, the current from the source, or the duty cycle associated withthe source, wherein the modified duty cycle comprises an increase or adecrease in the duty cycle associated with the source based on one ormore of the input voltage not satisfying an input voltage levelthreshold, the output voltage satisfying an output voltage levelthreshold, or the current from the source exceeding a current levelthreshold, and modifying, based on the modified duty cycle, timing foreach phase of the multiphase cycle.

Embodiment 2

The embodiment as in any one of the preceding embodiments whereinmodifying the timing for each phase of the multiphase cycle comprisesdelaying, based on the conductive state of the respective source to theload, each phase of the multiphase cycle so that each transition timebetween each phase of the multiphase cycle is equivalent.

Embodiment 3

The embodiment as in any one of the preceding embodiments, wherein theplurality of sources comprise one or more photovoltaic cells of aphotovoltaic cell-string, one or more cells of a multi-cell battery, oneor more energy storing current sources, one or more thermoelectricdevice, or one or more energy-harvesting devices, or one-or-moreelectrodes harvesting energy individually from a non-discrete powersource.

Embodiment 4

The embodiment as in any one of the preceding embodiments, wherein theload comprises one or more electro-physical stimulation devicesassociated with an organic organism.

Embodiment 5

The embodiment as in any one of the preceding embodiments wherein eachphase of the multiphase cycle is associated with a directcurrent-to-direct current (DC-DC) boost converter.

Embodiment 6

The embodiment as in embodiment 1, wherein, wherein modifying the timingfor each phase of the multiphase cycle causes, based on a phase skippingcontrol algorithm, power to not transfer to the load for at least onephase of the multiphase cycle.

Embodiment 7

A method comprising: determining, for each phase of a multiphase cycle,one or more parameter values associated with output power, modifying,based on the one or more parameter values, the duty cycle of asynchronization switching component associated with the phase, andcausing, based on the modified duty cycle for each phase of themultiphase cycle, an equivalent transition time between each phase ofthe multiphase cycle.

Embodiment 8

The embodiment of embodiment 7 wherein causing the equivalent transitiontime between each phase of the multiphase cycle comprises modifying thephase timing for each phase of the multiphase cycle based on the centeron a synchronization signal associated with each phase of the multiphasecycle.

Embodiment 9

A method comprising: transferring, for each phase of a multiphase cycle,power from a different source of a plurality of sources to a load,determining, for each phase of the multiphase cycle, based on an inputvoltage associated with source and current drawn from the source, anamount of power transferred from the source to the load, and modifying,based on the amount of power transferred from the source to the load,current drawn from the source.

Embodiment 10

The embodiment of embodiment 9 wherein modifying the current drawn fromthe source comprises causing, based on determining that the amount ofpower transferred from the source to the load does not satisfy athreshold, an increase or a decrease in the current drawn from thesource.

Embodiment 11

The embodiment of embodiment 9 or embodiment 10, further comprisingsending current from the load to the source.

While the methods and systems have been described in connection withpreferred embodiments and specific examples, it is not intended that thescope be limited to the particular embodiments set forth, as theembodiments herein are intended in all respects to be illustrativerather than restrictive.

Unless otherwise expressly stated, it is in no way intended that anymethod set forth herein be construed as requiring that its steps beperformed in a specific order. Accordingly, where a method claim doesnot actually recite an order to be followed by its steps or it is nototherwise specifically stated in the claims or descriptions that thesteps are to be limited to a specific order, it is in no way intendedthat an order be inferred, in any respect. This holds for any possiblenon-express basis for interpretation, including: matters of logic withrespect to arrangement of steps or operational flow; plain meaningderived from grammatical organization or punctuation; the number or typeof embodiments described in the specification.

It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that variousmodifications and variations can be made without departing from thescope or spirit. Other embodiments will be apparent to those skilled inthe art from consideration of the specification and practice disclosedherein. It is intended that the specification and examples be consideredas exemplary only, with a true scope and spirit being indicated by thefollowing claims.

What is claimed is:
 1. A managed power supply system, comprising: aplurality of power sources; a control module coupled to the plurality ofpower sources and comprising one or more processors and a memory, thememory storing processor executable instructions that, when executed bythe one or more processors, cause the one or more processors to controlthe power output of the power sources in a multiphase cycle; wherein foreach phase of the multiphase cycle, the one or more processors: transferpower from a selected power source of the plurality of power sources;determine an input voltage associated with the transferred power, anoutput voltage associated with the transferred power, and current fromthe selected power source; determine, for each power source of theplurality of power sources, a duty cycle; modify, based on the inputvoltage associated with the transferred power for each phase, the outputvoltage associated with the transferred power for each phase of themultiphase cycle, the current from respective power source associatedwith the transferred power for each phase of the multiphase cycle, andthe duty cycle associated with each respective power source.
 2. Thesystem of claim 1, wherein the one or more processors further modify,based on the modified duty cycle, timing for each phase of themultiphase cycle.
 3. The system of claim 1, wherein, for each powersource, the modified duty cycle comprises an increase or a decrease inthe duty cycle based on one or more of the input voltage not satisfyingan input voltage level threshold, the output voltage satisfying anoutput voltage level threshold, or the current from the voltage sourceexceeding a current level threshold.
 4. The system of claim 1, whereinthe one or more processors further delays each phase of the multiphasecycle, based on a conductive state of the respective power source, sothat each transition time between each phase of the multiphase cycle isequivalent.
 5. The system of claim 1, wherein the control module furtherperforms maximum power point tracking.
 6. The system of claim 5, whereinthe control module performs maximum power point tracking by, for eachphase, determining the phase input voltage and the phase current todetermine a phase current set point and adjusting the phase current setpoint to ensure optimal power output of the power source.
 7. The systemof claim 5, wherein each of the plurality of power sources comprises apower converter and the control module performs maximum power pointtracking by managing the duty cycle of the power converter.
 8. Thesystem of claim 1, further comprising a plurality of power converters,wherein each phase of the multiphase cycle is associated with a powerconverter of the plurality of power converters.
 9. The system of claim8, wherein each of the plurality of power converters comprises a boostconverter.
 10. The system of claim 8, wherein each of the plurality ofpower converters comprises a main switch and wherein the control modulecyclically causes the main switch to conduct electricity through aninductor.
 11. The system of claim 10, wherein each of the powerconverters further comprises a sync switch enabling discharge of theinductor.
 12. The system of claim 8, wherein each of the plurality ofpower converters comprises a main switch and an inductor, and whereinthe main switch is coupled to the inductor whereby current from arespective power source flows through the inductor and the main switchin series when the main switch assumes an on position.
 13. The system ofclaim 12, wherein each of the power converters further comprises a syncswitch enabling discharge of the inductor.
 14. The system of claim 1,wherein the one or more processors controls each duty cycle byactivating switches to control current flow into and out of an inductor.15. The system of claim 1, wherein each power source of the plurality ofpower sources comprises a cell of a photovoltaic cell string or a cellof a multi-cell battery.
 16. The system of claim 1, wherein the one ormore processors modifies timing for phases of the multiphase cycle tosuspend transferring power for a portion of a phase or for multiplephases, thereby causing phase pulse skipping.
 17. The system of claim 1,wherein the one or more processors modifies the output voltageassociated with the transferred power for selected phases of themultiphase cycle to be set to zero volts.
 18. A managed power supplysystem, comprising: a plurality of power cells; a plurality of powerconverters, each coupled to a power cell of the plurality of powercells; a control module coupled to the plurality of power converters andcomprising one or more processors and a memory, the memory storingprocessor executable instructions that, when executed by the one or moreprocessors, cause the one or more processors to control the power outputof the power cells in a multiphase cycle; wherein for each phase of themultiphase cycle, the one or more processors: transfer power from aselected power cell of the plurality of power cells; determine an inputvoltage associated with the transferred power, an output voltageassociated with the transferred power, and current from the selectedpower cell; determine, for each power converter of the plurality ofpower converters, a duty cycle; modify the power transferred fromrespective power source associated with the transferred power for eachphase of the multiphase cycle.
 19. The system of claim 18, wherein eachof the power converters comprises a switching arrangement managed by thecontrol module to control current flow through an inductor.
 20. Thesystem of claim 19, wherein the switching arrangement comprises a mainswitch controlling current flow from a respective power cell through theinductor to ground and a sync switch controlling flow of current fromthe inductor to a load.
 21. The system of claim 18, wherein the controlmodule controls the current flow through an inductor by controlling theduty cycle associated with each respective power cell.
 22. The system ofclaim 18, wherein each phase of the multiphase cycle is associated withone of the plurality of power converters.
 23. The system of claim 18,wherein each of the plurality of power cells comprises one of: aphotovoltaic cell of a photovoltaic string, a string of photovoltaiccells, a battery cell of a multi-cell battery, a string of batterycells.
 24. The system of claim 18, wherein the control module modifiestiming for phases of the multiphase cycle to suspend transferring powerfor a portion of a phase or for multiple phases.
 25. The system of claim18, wherein the control module sets output voltage to zero volts forphases of the multiphase cycle to suspend transferring power for aportion of a phase or for multiple phases.